Tracey D.United States
Had a wonderful, customized tour today. Great responsiveness and very helpful with our shopping at the Grand Bazaar and other local shopping areas. I would highly suggest Semih and his tours!
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Private tour in Istanbul Semih K
Istanbul Private Bosphorus Tour (Half Day)
4.8
(12) reviews
-
3 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
3 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Semih K.
4.9
Guide rating
82
Reviews
Tours delivered
8 hrs
Avg. response time
Hi, My name is Semih. I have been working as a tour guide with a great enthusiasm in Turkey since 2007. I am an active licensed professional tour guide in Turkey and willing to add personal touches to every single tour I conduct. It is always my pleasure to help travelers with their itineraries and provide them the most memorable vacation. It is also quite important to me that my guests return home with full of experiences to remember and come back!. I studied on english, archeology, mythology, religions, guidance, history, tourism marketing. . . etc at the Tourism Guidance Department of Suleyman Demirel Universiy. After I graduated from the university, I attended a language school in Malta for 6 months. It was a great experience and chance to practise the language which, I had been improving since primary school. When I came back to Turkey, I sat the English KPDS exam which is compulsory to pass to receive a guiding licence from the Ministry of Tourism. Moreover, I travelled 36 days around Turkey with archeologists and comprehensively learnt all the cities' history including with different traditions. Now, I am looking forward to welcoming my dear guests here in Istanbul, Turkey. I have the professional tour guide license since 2007 I don't drive,however I can arrange the transportation with a professional driver, when it is required.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Semih K.
Let's have a glass of Turkish Tea on the Bosphorus!
Overview of your Istanbul tour
This short but special itinerary offers you a chance to get the flavour of Istanbul from different angles on a boat trip. Since Istanbul spreads over two continents, it is the only place in the world, where you can experience two in one city. Having the aromatic smell of spices and the delicious taste of Turkish delights in the colourful market, called Spice or Egyptian (by locals) Market, we can take the boat trip in the strait, called Bosphorous. It is always a generous welcome with a nice breeze in the strait between Black and Marmara Sea. Bosphorous is also so generous with it's history and natural beauty. Along the Bosphorus, we see the historical wooden houses, majestic fortresses, Ottoman palaces, bridges, mosques, churches and so on, they all come from different period of time to blend in this beautiful city. I am looking forward to showing you around!
Recent Reviews
Andrea M.
We had a great time with Semih. He really knew how to thread our way through the crowds seamlessly at Topkapi Palace. He was knowledgeable and insured we saw the most important sites in the Palace. He shared lots of interesting details about the culture and population of Istanbul and the sites we were seeing. Semih also recommended a great coffee shop and introduced us to his favorite (non-tourist) restaurant for lunch. It was so good, we returned for dinner the next night! We highly recommend Semih!
James S.United States
We were lucky to have Semih show us Istanbul for two days. He took us on a great boat ride and told us about everything as we made out way up and down the Bosphorus. It was wonderful. He took us to the Grand Bazaar and showed us around and we had a great time. We cannot say enough about Semih, he was wonderful!!!! If you have the chance to go to Istanbul, book a tour with Semih, you will be very happy!
Peter W.
Semih was an excellent tour guide. We had limited time, and he was able to make the most of it. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. We recommend him highly.
Lauren C.United States
Semih was so knowledgable about the area and we felt we couldn't have had a better tour. We were on a tight schedule because we were only there for a limited time on a cruise stop, and he was very careful to ask exactly what we really wanted to see. He was courteous and caring and so smart! We felt safe with him and he knew all of the best spots. If you are looking for a tour of Istanbul (or anywhere else for that matter), we would HIGHLY recommend Semih! Thank you so much for showing us this magical city!
Steven K.United States
Semih was a very friendly and accomodating. He took extra time with us (more than we paid for) as we had a slight disability. He is very knowledgable about the history of Istanbul and Turkey. Fun to talk politics as well. Highly recommend him..
Your Istanbul tour itinerary
Here is my suggested itinerary, efficiently based on the time and the distance between museums. I also would love you to know that I am flexible with the itinerary. Please don't hesitate to ask for a customized tour if you would like to. -Pick you up from the location, previously agreed! -We start the day with Spice market, built in the 17th century, where You can also try the delicious world famous Turkish delight, nuts, and smell the herbal teas in colorful and aromatic spice shops in the market. Please don't be surprised when you are instantly offered Turkish tea (called Turkish hospitality) in the Market. -After Spice Market, we take the boat ride to see the Bosphorus strait, together with wooden houses, historical mansions, fortresses, Ottoman Palaces, and so on! Having done the boat tour, I lead you back to the hotel. 1- Spice Market 2- Bosphorus Boat tour (public boat)
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Tram
Depends on the location of the hotel (meeting place) and the number of visitors, transportation will be suggested accordingly. We can efficiently use the public transport, such as tram, taxi or metro. Please do not hesitate to contact me for a custom tour if you wish to include transportation.
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Bosphorous boat tour fee: 12 USD per person.
Tram: 5 USD each ride per person.
Approx taxi drive: 70 USD (one hour drive)
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Accommodation
Tastings
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Services
Meeting location
İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye
1-Airport 2-Cruise Terminal 3-Hotel 4- Location suggested ByGuide
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Boat
Tour reference number
753659
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
4.8
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Istanbul best suited for?
This private tour in Istanbul is perfect for travellers who want to experience the unique blend of cultures in a city that spans two continents. It's ideal for those interested in history, architecture, and local culture, as you'll explore the Spice Market and enjoy a boat trip on the Bosphorus. The tour is also kid-friendly, making it suitable for families.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Istanbul be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
3 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
3 hours
30 minutes
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.